Fastenal Company (FAST) vs United Rentals, Inc. (URI)

A side-by-side comparison of Fastenal Company and United Rentals, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 23, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnFAST vs URI

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
FAST +507.7% (+19.8%/yr)URI +1312.3% (+30.3%/yr)URI compounded faster over this window
05001k2kStart $10020182020202220242026$608$1,412
FAST URI

FAST vs URI: by the numbers

  • URI is the larger company ($68.37B vs $58.82B market cap).
  • URI trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (26.60 vs 43.44 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • URI converts more revenue to profit (15.67% vs 15.45% net margin).
  • URI grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.83% vs 8.96% CAGR).
  • FAST pays the higher dividend yield (1.79% vs 0.68%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricFASTURI
P/E ratio43.4426.60
Forward P/E40.5122.23
P/S ratio6.744.15
P/B ratio14.497.57
EV / EBITDA30.2912.70
FCF yield1.75%0.90%

Profitability

MetricFASTURI
Gross margin44.70%37.07%
Operating margin20.29%24.79%
Net margin15.45%15.67%
ROE33.23%28.60%
ROIC30.16%11.11%

Dividends

MetricFASTURI
Dividend yield1.79%0.68%
Payout ratio83.64%19.43%

Growth (annualized)

MetricFASTURI
Revenue CAGR (5Y)8.96%13.83%
EPS CAGR (5Y)7.96%25.88%
FCF CAGR (5Y)2.54%-11.55%
Total return CAGR (5Y)15.81%28.14%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, FAST or URI?
URI has the lower trailing P/E: FAST trades at 43.44 and URI at 26.60. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, FAST or URI?
Over the past five years, URI grew revenue faster — FAST at a 8.96% CAGR versus URI at 13.83%.
Does FAST or URI pay a bigger dividend?
FAST yields 1.79% and URI yields 0.68% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is FAST or URI more profitable?
URI runs the higher net margin — FAST at 15.45% versus URI at 15.67%.
How have FAST and URI total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, FAST delivered 19.70% and URI delivered 30.39% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified August 23, 2026.